Are you trying to get pregnant? Are you thinking about getting pregnant in the next year or
two? Well, you may be surprised to
know that there is more that goes in to getting pregnant than just sperm + egg
= baby.
Or at least there should be. A woman’s body goes through an incredible transformation
throughout the nine months of pregnancy.
It houses, grows, and feeds a baby that transforms from two microscopic
cells into 6-9 pounds of bouncing baby joy, all while continuing regular bodily
functions for mommy along the way.
That kind of strain on a body requires preparation! If you want the healthiest baby (and
mommy!) possible, there are a couple of key points you need to follow…BEFORE
you conceive!
Start With The Building Blocks
A baby is literally formed from your very own cells, so you
need to make sure those cells are healthy! Some key nutrients to incorporate into your daily diet
include…
Fat – Fat is one of the most important substances you can be
eating, both before your pregnancy and during it. Fat is good for brain and hormone development, placenta
health, and just plain strong cells!
So eat those good fats…like butter, olive oil, coconut oil, fish, animal
fats, nuts and nut butters, avocados, and eggs! Keep away from hydrogenated or trans fats (put down that
Oreo!) and refined oils, like Canola oil.
Folic Acid –
Everyone knows you need folic acid when you’re pregnant, but do you know
why? Folic acid is essential for
rapid cell division and growth (um, hello growing fetus?). It allows the body to synthesize DNA,
and in a growing fetus, it promotes proper development of the brain and central
nervous system. Where can you find
folic acid? Well, whole food
supplements are one source. But
you can also find it in abundance in leafy green vegetables, legumes, eggs,
baker’s yeast, and liver meats.
Protein – Proteins are the very building blocks that will
make up your baby’s body. Without
protein, we would all waste away to nothing. The best proteins are complete proteins, which are found in
animal meats. This includes
wild-caught fish, free-range chicken and eggs, grass-fed beef and bison, and
dairy products. Incomplete
proteins, which are still beneficial, may be found in nuts, seeds, and
beans. You may hear that soy is
also a good form of protein, but do not eat it! Soy contains plant estrogens, which greatly interfere with
our own hormone balance.
Detoxify
Eating the right nutrients is key, but it does not stand
alone in preparing your body for pregnancy. Both mommy and daddy should be sure to remove as many toxins
as possible at least three months before trying to conceive. This means avoiding any intake of
toxins from the diet, such as alcohol, drugs, caffeine, cigarettes, artificial
sweeteners, soy, trans fats, and refined oils. It may also include a detoxification program, if your
clinician recommends one.
Completing this detoxification at least three months prior to conception
will provide a healthy environment for your baby to grow in, and will also
ensure that the reserves that your body stores away to draw upon throughout your pregnancy are healthy. Early
detoxification is especially important for daddy, because it takes
approximately three months for spermatogenesis (or the formation of sperm) to
occur.
Note: Detoxification DURING pregnancy should never be attempted
unless expressly advised by your clinician and/or physician.
Get Active!
You’ve already heard why physical activity is important for
your body (and if you haven’t, check out our Fitness page here). Well, all of those benefits are passed
right along to your growing baby during pregnancy. However, it’s not a good idea to begin a new fitness program
when you are pregnant, because your body is not prepared for that added
strain. So, now is the time to get
moving!
If you do not already have a regular fitness routine, there
are lots of great forms of exercise that you can begin now and continue on into
pregnancy. These include walking,
yoga, swimming, dancing, or anything else that gets you moving (but preferably not jumping or bouncing).
Speak Up!
The best thing you can do to prepare for pregnancy is to
tell your clinician! He or she can
be sure to prioritize your program so it meets all of the above criteria, and
fills in any cracks there may be in your current nutritional protocol. They will also be able to advise you on
the best time to begin trying to conceive, as well as how to find the most
fertile days of your cycle.
